Jayhawk junior Kollyn Malinowski, left, runs at the at the Prairie View Invitational early this fall. He was the top finisher for the Jayhawks at the state cross country meet. (Journal file photo)
By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com
LAWRENCE – After both boys and girls cross country runners were team champions at the regional meet at Central Heights in late October, it would be expected that the ninth- and 10th-place respective finishes at the state meet would be a downer for the Jayhawk-Linn runners.
Add to that, the girls race on Saturday, Nov. 2, was run in the rain on a course that turned muddy, affecting the times of all runners. The event, held at the Rim Rock course north of Lawrence couldn’t have been more of a contrast to the regional race where all of the Jayhawks had personal best times on a dry course on a sunny day.
But according to head coach Shayla Long, the team was anything but down after the race.
“Yes, the girls race was pretty wet, but our runners did fine,” said Long in an email. “It wasn’t that bad. They were in good spirits after the race.”
Junior Adeline Randall competes at Prairie View earlier this fall. She has worked hard to improve her time throughout the season. (Journal file photo)
The week after the regional race, Long said the team had been working hard to improve times going into the regionals.
“They worked hard and have earned a well-deserved break,” she said. “They had a great season and ran fine at state, but I think most importantly it’s learning experience.”
The performance of both the girls and boys teams at the end of the season bodes well for Jahyawks over the next two or three years.
Members of the boys team celebrate their second team win at Prairie View. The team would win four meets, including the regional, during the season. (Journal file photo)
“We have a young team with only one runner ever competing in a state meet before this race,” the coach said. “I think they can go into next year experienced and confident from this season. I hope that their success this year leaves them hungry for more in the future.”
For the 10th place Jayhawk boys, sophomore Kollyn Malinowski had the best time of 17:55.3, placing 51st. Simon Shillito was 67th with a time of 18:24.9. Freshman Daniel Brake ran the 5K course in 18:31.1 for 71st followed closely by sophomore Louis Shillto, who was just over one second behind.
The Jayhawk girls team gathers around the regional championship plaque. They too won four meets this year. (Journal file photo)
Freshman Jayden Mayhugh ran the course in 19:22.2, followed by junior Truman Schneider with a time of 19:37.6. Total runners in the Class 3A boys race was 107.
For the girl’s ninth-place finish, freshman Lily Meyer finish 35th with a time of 21:26.0, followed by fellow freshman Gabby Parsons in 40th place with a time of 21:36.5. Junior Adeline Randall ran the course in 22:39.2 for 65th place, and freshman Allie Thomas followed in 79th place with a time of 23:35.7.
Senior Brylee Doleshal finished her cross country career with a time of 24:00.8, and Haelie Wallace was close behind with a time of 24:19.6. Sophomore Bailie Wilson finished the course in 25:54.3. Total runners in the girls race was 108.
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